Celebrity Health

Texans wide receivers will honor their teammate, John Metchie III, with sets of custom cleats this week ... paying tribute to the wideout as he continues his battle with leukemia.

The guys, led by star Brandin Cooks, surprised the 22-year-old with the idea on Tuesday ... showing off the special spikes that they'll don for their game against the Browns on Sunday.

The orange-themed cleats pay homage to John's signature "Karate Kid" touchdown celebration that he made famous while playing for Alabama. They also say "Metchie Strong" and "Believe" on the sides.

And, check out video that the Texans shared Tuesday, Metchie III was blown away by it all.

"We love you," Cooks said to the wideout while unveiling the cleats. "Keep inspiring us in everything that you're doing. You know we've got your back every step of the way as best we can, for sure."

Metchie III was selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Texans ... but the team announced in July that he would miss the season following his leukemia diagnosis.

Competitive eater and radio personality Patrick Philbin -- famously known as "Pat From Moonachie" -- has passed away. He was 59.

Former host Anthony Cumia of "The Opie & Anthony Show" broke the news of his death Monday night ... saying Philbin, who frequently appeared on the show, was an all-around good guy.

"Pat was a character," Cumia said via Twitter, "Entertaining as all hell. He was also a genuinely nice person. He was such a big part of the O&A show over the years. RIP Pat."

The cause of death hasn't been disclosed but Philbin recently told his followers he was undergoing hydrotherapy ... as one of his legs was amputated.

"I'm in hydrotherapy to keep my one remaining leg," Philbin said on Nov. 17.

There was also a GoFundMe started for Philbin that claimed he was dealing with health issues ... and needed the money for his medical expenses. They raised over $20k.

Besides being hilarious on the airwaves, Philbin was a Major League Eating competitor. In fact, Pat placed 2nd at the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating contest in Atlantic City in 2009 ... the most famous eating competition in the world.

But, arguably, his best feat came during an eggnog drinking challenge ... when he took down 75 shots of the creamy beverage before throwing it all up on someone seconds later.

After hearing the news, Pat's fans flooded social media, paying tribute to the New Jersey native ... one of them saying on Facebook, "You were a funny MFer."

"I am so happy we met and lived near each other. May God bless you always. Make those jokes in Heaven."

Pat's friend, New Jersey-born comedian Jim Norton also shared some thoughts following his friends passing.

"Pat from Moonachie was a legend and responsible for iconically funny moments on the show. Pat was funny in the purest sense of the word. He always went for the laugh, every time in every situation. RIP to one of the greats."

Clarence Gilyard, the actor who played the wisecracking computer hacker in the film, "Die Hard," has died.

Gilyard passed away after a long battle with an unspecified illness, according to media reports. His death was announced Monday by the University of Las Vegas, Nevada, where he had worked since 2006 as a Fine Arts professor.

His 30-year career in Hollywood landed him major roles in popular TV series, from the '80s and '90s ... notably, "Matlock," and "Walker, Texas Ranger." He worked with stars like Andy Griffith and Chuck Norris. He also scored his first big screen role as Sundown in "Top Gun."

Gilyard's breakout role was playing Theo in the OG "Die Hard." Theo was the sardonic tech wizard who took over a Los Angeles skyscraper with terrorists and hacked into a vault, attempting to steal $640 million in bearer bonds. In one scene, the terrorists bomb an LAPD vehicle and Theo famously cackles, "Oh my god, the quarterback is toast!"

UNLV Dean Nancy J. Uscher remembered Gilyard this way ... "It is with profound sadness that I share this news. His students were deeply inspired by him, as were all who knew him. He had many extraordinary talents and was extremely well-known in the university through his dedication to teaching and his professional accomplishments."

Uscher went on ... "His generosity of spirit was boundless - he was always ready to contribute to projects and performances however possible."

Gilyard was 66.

Ty Dolla $ign's hospital scare over the weekend left fans on edge ... but his Taylor Gang OG Wiz Khalifa assures us he can avoid future skateboard snafus with a little protection going forward.

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Wiz Monday following Ty$'s painful posts ... where the star R&B crooner says he blacked out a bit after wiping out on his board.

Wiz tells us Ty$ is no quitter, but did instruct him to wear a helmet the next time he hops on the board again.

The good news is that the photo looked worse than it really was -- Ty$ checked out of the hospital shortly after his post, and quickly rejoined the party life with Wiz!!!

Tiger Woods has been sidelined once again.

The golfing legend revealed he has developed a new foot injury -- plantar fasciitis -- and he'll have to withdraw from this weekend's Hero World Challenge over it.

Woods said he made the decision after talking with his doctors and trainers ... adding that the condition is "making it difficult to walk."

The 46-year-old, however, still plans to perform his hosting duties at the event -- and he said he's still gunning to get in golf at two events next month.

"My plan is still to compete in The Match and PNC Championship," he said.

The Match -- a high-profile celebrity golf event where he will team up with Rory McIlroy to take on Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas -- goes down Dec. 10. The PNC Championship, where he'll team up with his son, Charlie Woods, goes down Dec. 15.

Tiger has battled ailments throughout his career, but has barely played since he badly broke his leg in a February 2021 car accident.

He logged rounds at The Masters, the PGA Championship and the Open this past year -- his first since the wreck -- but he withdrew from U.S. Open after his surgically repaired leg wasn't in good enough condition to compete.

"My body needs more time to get stronger for major championship golf," Woods tweeted at the time.

Jay Leno's miraculous return to comedy -- just 2 weeks after getting severely burned -- is officially a smash hit ... just ask the cops whose car he clipped!

It's the kinda Murphy's Law moment ya just have to laugh off, and Jay did, but Sunday night, as he pulled up to the Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, CA ... he really did graze a cop car's tire with his Tesla.

Jay arrived with his wife, Mavis, and everyone -- HBPD included -- got past the near-fender bender quickly, and the comedian immediately made it clear he's ready and willing to joke about the garage fire.

Check out the video ... Jay dropped 2 or 3 one-liners at his own expense on his way into the club.

TMZ broke the story ... Leno was working on one of his vintage cars in his garage when the fuel line burst on him, and about half of Jay's upper body -- including his face -- caught on fire.

After suffering 2nd and 3rd-degree burns on his face, neck, arm and hands ... he went to the Grossman Burn Center, where he underwent skin grafts and got treatment in a hyperbaric chamber.

Just a few days after the accident, Jay told us he'd be back doing standup within a couple of weeks.

Very few people thought was realistic, but Sunday night he proved all the doubters wrong.

BTW, Jay's been doing Sunday nights at this club for decades, and it quickly sold out when he announced he'd be returning. Appropriately, there was a ton of media outlets outside, waiting to see his astounding comeback.

Jason David Frank was beloved for playing the hero on-screen -- but according to a friend, his true heroism happened in real life as he battled mental health issues for years.

Mike Bronzoulis, a prized MMA fighter and one of Jason's closest friends, tells TMZ ... since they became friends in 2010, Jason was always open with him about bouts of depression and mental health struggles -- though he kept it private from most people.

Mike says Jason had multiple family members die from suicide, and his mother also died a few years ago after battling cancer. These deaths took a heavy toll on him ... despite having tons of friends and getting love from thousands of fans, he often felt very lonely.

Jason kept a very busy schedule, but through all of it tried to find peace by motivating his fans ... whether it be meeting in person or posting videos on social media.

Mike says he last spoke to Jason roughly a week before his death. He even got a voicemail from Jason ... saying he needed to talk, and he was going through a lot. Mike didn't realize Jason left that voicemail until after he died.

As we reported, Jason died by suicide after getting into a heated argument with his wife in a Texas hotel.

Mike tells us he and Jason's other friends will always remember him as an incredibly giving person ... but one who also wrestled with inner demons.

A pilot and a passenger are hospitalized in serious condition Monday after an insane plane crash, but they're clearly counting their blessings.

The small plane hit an electrical tower Sunday afternoon in Montgomery County, Maryland and became lodged in the structure, 100 feet above the ground. It appears the pilot was on final approach to a nearby airport, although it's unclear if he simply misjudged the altitude or experienced a mechanical problem. Visibility was poor because of fog.

It took rescuers 7 hours to remove the pilot and passenger from the precariously mounted aircraft as they gingerly went about extricating them.

Both were rushed to a nearby hospital with serious injuries -- trauma and orthopedic injuries as well as hypothermia.

The crash knocked out power to 120,000 customers in the area.

In order to rescue the occupants, clamps were mounted on the cables to prevent static electricity from causing a catastrophe.

Instagram model Gena Tew, who disclosed she is HIV positive, is facing even more issues following eye surgery ... we're told she's gone completely blind in one eye.

You'll recall -- Gena underwent surgery in August, after losing her vision in her left eye following her HIV diagnosis. There was reason to hope the procedure would restore her vision.

Gena tells TMZ ... she's become completely blind in that eye for a second time -- all she can see is pitch-black darkness. We're told her vision was better for roughly 5 days after surgery, before it reverted.

She says doctors have prescribed new meds, but all the drugs have done is made her sick. Doctors are considering another surgery, but no decision has been made.

Gena's seen some improvement in other areas. She's been putting some weight back on recently, going from 90 lbs to 105 lbs. She's also regaining her ability to walk, with the help of a walker.

Jay Leno clearly lives by the credo ... if you get injured doing what you love, you gotta get back in the buggy!!!

Jay, who was seriously burned when a fuel leak on a 1907 steamer triggered a fire that burned his face and hands, was back at it again Saturday, taking a spin in a vintage Bentley on the streets of L.A.

Some of the burns are apparent ... you see the scarring on his right hand. Jay suffered both second and third-degree burns.

Jay jumped in his Tesla a few days ago and went back to the Grossman Burn Center in West Hills ... cookies in hand to thank the medical staff for treating him.

The comedian then beelined it to a Chick-fil-A for a sandie.

It's pretty remarkable ... it seemed impossible Jay would bounce back so quickly, but people we know who are close to him were never in doubt.

We were told he'd be back onstage in a week or 2 and that's exactly what's gonna happen. Jay's scheduled to perform at The Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach in the L.A. area on Sunday. It's a sold-out show.

NeNe Leakes' 23-year-old son is finally home from the hospital ... two months after a frightening medical emergency.

The 'RHOA' star just shared a positive health update on her son Brentt Leakes ... posting videos of him walking out of a hospital Wednesday after suffering both a heart attack and a stroke.

In the videos, Brentt is slowly walking down the hospital hallways as nurses cheer him on and say goodbye as he heads for the exit.

It's a huge accomplishment for NeNe's son ... she also shared videos of his long road to recovery ... because he had to learn how to walk again.

Other photos show Brentt in his hospital bed, hooked up to medical devices as NeNe sits by his bedside.

TMZ broke the story ... Brentt suffered a stroke and heart failure in September and was taken to a Georgia hospital, where he remained until Wednesday.

At the time, NeNe said Brentt was having trouble speaking ... but now she says her son is not only walking again, but also talking.

Al Roker was MIA from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time in nearly THREE DECADES ... and it's all because of his recent health issues.

Earlier this month ... Al was taken to a hospital to be treated for blood clots in his legs and lungs. He was discharged Thursday morning, but he didn't feel up to hosting the world-famous parade so he decided to watch it on TV from his kitchen.

As you know, Al's been a TV host for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for the past 27 years. During the "Today" show broadcast, Al's cohosts sent their well wishes to the iconic weatherman.

Al posted a video to his Instagram, showing him leaving the hospital and referencing the Thanksgiving Day Parade. He said he was thankful to be heading home in time for some turkey.

Meanwhile back on the ground, Flavor Flav got super into Paula Abdul's live performance.

The suspected Colorado shooter is appearing in court for the first time since the mass murder.

Anderson Lee Aldrich -- who appeared bloodied and bruised, with significant damage to their face -- appeared on video for the judge Wednesday for a hearing in the case. Aldrich's time with the judge only lasted a couple mins, without much significance -- they'll be back in court December 6.

In legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Aldrich's public defender says their client uses they/them pronouns and will be referred to as Mx. Aldrich in future proceedings. It's the first time Aldrich has claimed to be part of the LGBT community on paper or even publicly.

The problem ... it doesn't appear Aldrich has ever identified as nonbinary in the past. As far as we've seen ... Aldrich has never gone by these pronouns. So, naturally, many are questioning whether this could be a play to avoid federal hate crime charges.

In any case, there are other things Aldrich is requesting here -- including notice of whether law enforcement has accessed their electronics and/or social media, noting some material may be privileged and that Aldrich hasn't given permission for certain records to be perused.

Aldrich is also requesting other private records to remain sealed, including medical and/or psychiatric treatment they might've ever received. Essentially, Aldrich and their counsel are demanding to know what the government has accessed of theirs thus far, and to provide any waivers of release they claim to have obtained from Aldrich at this court hearing.

Aldrich seems to want any personal material that can receive confidentiality and privilege under Colorado law to stay under wraps from public view as the case plays out. TMZ will be streaming the hearing to see if the judge weighs in, and if Aldrich addresses the court.

Thus far, they've been charged with five counts of first-degree murder and five counts of a bias-motivated crime causing bodily injury -- which have been handed down by the state.

Jay Leno can't stop, won't stop -- unbelievably, he's back on the open road less than 2 weeks after he was severely burned in a car fire, and his first stop ... the same garage where it happened.

Tuesday, the comedian drove himself -- still visibly scarred on his face and hand -- to his Burbank garage where he keeps most of his famous car collection.

He briefly chatted with photogs as he pulled in at the gate ... tellin' them he'll back onstage telling jokes as soon as this weekend.

He also jokes around about a much-needed BBQ. Too soon, Jay!!!

As you know, Leno was working on a vintage car that had a clogged fuel line when he got sprayed with gasoline, which then ignited and set him on fire. Luckily, his friend was there at the time to extinguish the flames, and save Jay's life.

Jay was released from the Grossman Burn Center Monday, where he underwent 9 days of treatment. He seemed to be in great spirits in photos alongside the staff ... and this new video confirms he's continuing an amazing recovery.

Sinbad suffered a life-changing stroke 2 years ago ... and in the first update since his medical emergency, the star's family says he's got a long road ahead of him on the way to recovery.

The family put out a lengthy release Monday, saying Sinbad was in the hospital for 9 months before his July release. They say he's still "fighting for every inch," and his limbs that were said to be "dead" are coming back to life. They say he's taking all the steps he can to learn how to walk again.

Sinbad's family says the survival rate from a stroke like his is around 30% ... but they're celebrating him beating those odds. His family also says they're looking for some help in the process ... noting the costs of his therapy have "far exceeded" what insurance covers.

They say it's taken a financial toll on them, and they've set up a website for anyone looking to contribute in any way they can.

As we reported, the comedian was recovering from a stroke in November of 2020 ... with his family saying they were "faithful and optimistic that he will bring laughter into our hearts soon."

Jay Leno has been released from the hospital after suffering severe burns following a gasoline garage accident -- and you can already tell how badly he was hurt.

The "You Bet Your Life" host posed for a photo taken and posted by the Grossman Burn Center, where JL has been receiving treatment for the past nine days. In it, he seems to be in good spirits alongside the facility staff ... but there's noticeable scarring on his face and hands.

Still, he's well enough to have been discharged ... and GBC says they're encouraged by his recovery. In a statement, the burn center says Jay will receive follow-up care at their outpatient facility, this after receiving burns throughout his upper, including on his chest.

They add, "Jay would like to let everyone know how thankful he is for the care he received, and is very appreciative of all of the well wishes. He is looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with his family and friends and wishes everyone a wonderful holiday."

In addition to being placed in a hyperbaric chamber, JL is said to have undergone surgical excision and skin grafting ... removing unhealthy tissue and allowing the wounds to heal.

Remember ... this is all started while Jay was working on one of his vehicles in his Burbank garage. While trying to unclog a fuel line on a 1907 White Steam Car, he was sprayed with gasoline which erupted into flames. Jay's friend, who was present, saved his life.